Herita Ilunga's Congo DR have to at least draw in Malawi next month to have a chance of progressing to the final round of African qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
New West Ham United recruit Ilunga played the full 90 minutes for his country in the 1-0 home defeat by Egypt, on Sunday afternoon to make it eight appearances so far in this qualifying campaign. The loss, which saw team-mate Lomana LuaLua limp out injured, confirmed the Egyptians as group winners and means the Congolese are facing a battle to finish second and have the chance of progressing from Group 12 as one of the continent's best runners-up.
On 11 October, Congo DR go to Malawi, who also have nine points from their first five games, needing a draw to secure second place and the chance of going through via second place. Congo DR won the home match 1-0 on 8 June. There are a dozen groups in all in the African zone, with all the section winners and eight best runners-up progressing to the third and final qualifying round. Those 20 teams will be drawn into five round-robin, home and away groups of four nations. The winners will all go through to the finals in South Africa.
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